Measles cases on the rise in Manitoba
The number of confirmed and probable measles cases in Manitoba has jumped to 24, a provincial government health bulletin reported Wednesday.
The province's last update Sunday said there were 14 confirmed and probable cases of the infectious disease in the province.
The majority of cases are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children who have been exposed in their communities, the province said. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Cynthia Goldsmith/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A measles virus particle, centre, is shown in an undated handout image.
Late Tuesday, Manitoba Health announced new measles exposure sites, and said some of the most recent exposures involved people who were unaware they had been in contact with a person who had the illness. Previously, all of the cases had known contact with measles either during travel or in Manitoba.
Public health asked individuals who think they may have been exposed at the locations listed below, but have not been notified, to contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba.
Health officials said a potential exposure occurred during an Ecole Dugald School field trip last week to the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, along with the students' regular daily bus service to and from school.
The province says the measles exposure was on Bus 128, route 79, which not only services the school in Dugald, but also takes students to Oakbank Elementary, Springfield Middle School, and Springfield Collegiate Institute, on April 29 and 30 and May 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and 3:40 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Other exposures were at Dugald School, on April 29 and 30, and May 2, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., and Bus 26, route 72, which services the same schools as the other bus and on the same days, but from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
People who were in these places are advised to watch for symptoms until May 24, including a red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, upper respiratory symptoms and fatigue. Serious complications such as pneumonia, blindness and death are possible.
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As well, Manitobans were also exposed at the Boundary Trails Health Centre's emergency department waiting room on April 27 from 4:11 p.m. to 10:07 p.m. People should watch for symptoms until May 19.
For further information on the current measles situation in Canada, visit: wfp.to/measles
The province says it will only update the status of measles cases on Wednesdays.
As of Wednesday, there were five confirmed cases in February, one in March, 12 in April, and two in May.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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